SIC awards, consisting of the RisingStar Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award, were created to recognize and applaud excellence in the world of professional life.

In May 2007, John L. Kraft was awarded the SIC Lifetime Achievement Award for having served the governmental community as Bond Counsel with distinction, integrity and originality. Soon thereafter, Mr. Kraft was recognized by the New Jersey legislature for his outstanding achievements in the field of public finance. In September 2007, he joined the firm of Lomurro, Davison, Eastman and Muñoz, located in Freehold, New Jersey.

The firm, which is led by Managing Partner Donald M. Lomurro, was founded in 1988 and has developed an enviable reputation of providing genuine excellence in the practice of law. A full complement of legal services is offered to the community, including commercial litigation, product liability, construction disputes, defense of self-insured companies, employment law, white collar criminal defense, corporate services and municipal law.

We asked Jack how he would describe his experience at the Lomurro firm.

Jack Kraft with Don Lomurro

Jack replied, “I came to the Lomurro firm to establish the firm’s new Public Finance Department. I was joined by my legal assistant of 25 years and my secretary of 15 years. We all were immediately embraced by the entire firm, partners, attorneys and staff, and have become part of the Lomurro family. I am working directly with two partners, Duane Davison and Ed Eastman, to share my knowledge of public finance law. The firm has been retained as Bond Counsel by a number of new clients since my arrival. I am invigorated by my new firm’s commitment to excellence in all aspects of the law and by the enthusiasm that is the hallmark of the entire office.”

We also asked him why a governmental unit should choose to utilize the Lomurro firm as Bond Counsel. Jack replied, “The Lomurro law firm now has me as a partner. I bring to the firm all my 40 years of experience in public finance and also in state government, where I served as Associate Counsel to Governor William T. Cahill in 1970 and 1971. During my time as a bond attorney, I have faced and answered most of the issues that can arise in a public finance transaction. My experience is greater than most other attorneys in the Bond Counsel field possess. Through the team approach of involving my legal assistant of 25 years and my secretary of 15 years, I have been able to provide extremely prompt and thorough services to my clients.

Jack Kraft with Ed Eastman

“Because of my writing and speaking on matters of municipal finance throughout the years, I have achieved a unique stature among other Bond Counsel from New Jersey and, indeed, in the country. This is reflected by the fact that I am a founding Fellow and First President of the American College of Bond Counsel. The College named its annual lecture the ‘Kraft Lecture,’ at which each year a leading figure from public finance is invited to come to Chicago and speak to the assembled members.

“Our fees are reasonable, and we bring so much to the service of our clients that I believe that our existing clients and our future clients are well served to engage the Lomurro firm to serve as Bond Counsel.”

Mr. Kraft recently added another award to his long list. This time, it was the 2008 Irishman of the Year from the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Jersey Shore.

We track the progress of our award winners, as we did a few months ago with Andy Stamelman of Riker Danzig, and inform our readers of their continuing achievements. We wish Jack Kraft much success at the fine firm of Lomurro, Davison, Eastman and Muñoz. We believe both of these parties entered into a good marriage.

Comedy Corner

The perks of being over age 50 include: kidnappers are not very interested in you; in a hostage situation you are likely to be released first; people call at 9:00 p.m. and ask, “Did I wake you?”; people no longer view you as a hypochondriac; there is nothing left to learn the hard way; you get into heated arguments about pension plans; you quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room; you sing along with the elevator music; your eyes won’t get much worse; your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off; your secrets are safe with your friends because they can’t remember them; and you can’t remember who sent you this list.